Chapter 70. Baek Sol

During a dinner party, the director informed us that the construction of the special set for the video shooting in Daejeon, which will be used from the 12th episode of "Beyond the River," has been completed.

This drama consists of 16 main episodes, and if the ratings are good, an additional special episode will be added, making it a total of 17 episodes.

Currently, we have completed the shooting of the first part of the 11th episode and the ending scene in the desert, which Yeo-woo pre-shot, as well as some of the latter part.

Therefore, a significant portion of the remaining scenes to be shot will take place at the Daejeon set.

"This time, the director said he needs to go down first to set up the composition, so I plan to go and check it out."

"Oh, so you're going in two days?"

"Ah, this isn't a shooting schedule, so you don't need to come. I'll really go alone."

Yeo-woo, who anticipated Min-soo's intention and preempted it, made Min-soo laugh, and he replied that he would take a good rest during his vacation.

After nodding at this, Yeo-woo added:

"Ah, by the way, now that we'll be shooting at the set, I'll have to commute from home for a few days. You can take a break during this time, Min-soo."

"That won't do. Besides commuting, I need to be there to handle emergencies and other matters, so I'll definitely come with you."

Min-soo, who firmly shook his head in response to Yeo-woo's words.

Yeo-woo smiled, thinking that Min-soo has been consistently professional and responsible ever since he first took charge of Yeo-woo two years ago.

"Tomorrow, when you go down to your hometown and watch the show with your family, I think their reactions will be interesting. Since your movie hasn't been released yet, it will be the first time your family sees you as the lead actor."

Yeo-woo, who hadn't really thought about it, became curious after hearing Min-soo's words.

When "Summer's Closet" was broadcast, Yeo-woo was the lead but had a relatively minor role, and at that time, his younger sister So-hyun, who was in her rebellious phase, rarely came out of her room.

"That's true. Now that I think about it, I'm looking forward to it."

While talking, they arrived at the office building, and Yeo-woo went up after greeting Min-soo.

Before showering, Yeo-woo plugged his smartphone into the charger and turned it on. Even after showering, his smartphone continued to ring.

Looking at the screen, he saw dozens of missed calls and messages.

Most were from acquaintances and broadcasting-related people.

In between, an app with a blinking number caught his eye.

It was a message received through a security app used only for communication with Han Hae-woon.

- Manager Ryu. I met with Baek No-ya.

- I found a lead on Baek Sol's information.

- There's also progress on the PlusTen's Byun Hak-gyu representative case you mentioned earlier.

- I'm heading to Seoul to report on the related matters.

- Please reply after reading the message.

Since the first message arrived over four hours ago, if he left Busan then, he should arrive in Seoul soon.

It seemed that sleep would have to be postponed for the night.

After getting dressed again and leaving the house, Yeo-woo sent a message.

- I read the message. Let's meet at the address below.

He sent the address of a quiet park near the office building and waited there. Soon, a silver SUV with headlights arrived at the park's parking lot.

It was Han Hae-woon's car.

As Yeo-woo approached, the driver's door opened, and Han Hae-woon got out.

"You've worked hard."

Hae-woon nodded slightly at Yeo-woo's first words.

"He's not an easy person to meet."

"Let's walk and talk."

Yeo-woo and Hae-woon started walking in the park, and Hae-woon began by talking about his meeting with Baek No-ya.

***

A few hours earlier, when Han Hae-woon was being moved somewhere with a mask over his face by one of Baek No-ya's subordinates.

His vision was blocked, and two burly men sat on either side of him in the car, preventing any movement. From the back seat, Baek No-ya's voice could be heard.

"What is your relationship with Mr. Jeon?"

"I received a personal favor from him, so I'm helping him."

Having anticipated this and prepared a scenario with Jeon Su-hwan, Han Hae-woon answered immediately.

"Usually, I act directly and don't delegate tasks to others, but?"

"Currently, he is in a dangerous area and cannot easily come in."

Since Han Hae-woon's suspicions had not been completely dispelled, Baek No-ya maintained a poker face and remained silent for a while. The car continued to drive for quite some time.

'Based on the speed, it seems we're not driving over 70 km/h. So, we're probably on a national road, and the frequent turns suggest we're not far from the initial location. They're making it difficult for me on purpose.'

Despite being in a situation that could be considered a kidnapping, Han Hae-woon calmly recorded information in his mind, as was his habit.

Baek No-ya, sitting in the back seat, occasionally received calls, listened to the other side without speaking, and the phone vibrated.

Han Hae-woon tried to listen to the conversation but couldn't hear anything.

'While driving around, they're probably cross-checking to see if I'm lying.'

Eventually, the car stopped, and Han Hae-woon was led up a long staircase by the two burly men.

Once inside, the mask was removed, and he saw antique furniture, reminiscent of a drama's chairman's living room.

Baek No-ya, sitting in the main seat of the living room, raised his one arm and gestured for Han Hae-woon to sit.

"Sit down, it's straining my neck to look up at you."

Han Hae-woon sat down and started the conversation based on the information and precautions he had received from Yeo-woo.

"Mr. Jeon Su-hwan said it's time to repay the debt you owe."

Upon hearing this, Baek No-ya's eyes widened briefly before returning to a blank expression, and he nodded.

"Indeed. Finally, I can repay the debt."

He tapped the sofa armrest with his one hand and paused in thought before continuing.

"By the way, I heard he's a team leader. I don't know where he's from or what he does. We just do business occasionally."

Before Han Hae-woon could speak, Baek No-ya preempted him.

"Enough. I don't want to know. This old man has survived this long because I don't know much."

Lifting his one arm, Baek No-ya continued.

"This is the result of too much greed."

***

Yeo-woo, who had been listening quietly, showed a glint in his eyes.

"Talking about his arm? He seems to have aged a lot since we last met, and he's even talking about personal matters."

"He's still full of energy despite his age."

Yeo-woo chuckled at Han Hae-woon's words.

"So, did you ask about 'Baek Sol'?"

Han Hae-woon nodded heavily.

"Not much, but I found a lead. 'As expected.'"

"Really?"

"Yes. It's related to the National Intelligence Service."

Based on the circumstances and the deaths of Jeon Su-hwan and Baek Yu-hyun in the previous life, Yeo-woo had made some guesses, but when it became certain, both Yeo-woo and Hae-woon felt a bitter taste.

It felt like their dedication and sacrifices to the country had been reduced to nothing.

Then, Yeo-woo tilted his head.

"But if it's related to the National Intelligence Service, it's strange that I don't know and Baek No-ya does."

Han Hae-woon nodded at Yeo-woo's words.

Of course, Baek No-ya might have made some guesses, but since he didn't know where 'Jeon Su-hwan' worked or what he did, it was strange that he knew about the more mysterious 'Baek Sol'.

"However, it's a bit different in a strict sense."

"Different?"

After a brief pause, Han Hae-woon continued.

"It's more accurate to say the Safety Planning Department."

The Safety Planning Department.

The predecessor of the National Intelligence Service, which was the intelligence agency of South Korea from 1981 to 1999.

"So, you mean the old man knew about 'Baek Sol'?"

The words that came out of Han Hae-woon's mouth were quite shocking and unexpected, and Baek No-ya, who had been lost in thought, spoke.

"I didn't expect to hear that name again, but if that's the information he wants, I'll have to dig up my old memories."

According to Baek No-ya, about 30 years ago, when he was still a newcomer in the underworld, a large-scale crime crackdown known as the "War on Crime" took place.

Fortunately, Baek No-ya was already in prison at the time and avoided the investigation. When he was released, the underworld connections he knew were either crippled or had disappeared without a trace.

"The name I heard then was 'Baek Sol'."

A man came to Baek No-ya, who was trying to rebuild his power with the remaining members of the organization.

The man, who introduced himself as an agent of the Safety Planning Department, threatened that if he followed the orders given under the name 'Baek Sol,' he could save his life.

However, Baek No-ya, who had just shed his newcomer status before going to prison, gained power and confidence after being released and rudely turned the man away.

"That turned out to be the thing I regret the most and the best decision I ever made."

"What do you mean?"

Baek No-ya shook his head, recalling that day.

"They all died. Several people came that afternoon and pulled the trigger without hesitation. I was shot in the shoulder and arm but managed to escape."

The power of the state was terrifying.

With gunshot wounds, he couldn't go to any hospital and had to seek out an unlicensed doctor in the underworld to have his arm amputated to survive.

"Since then, I've never been in the front line. But I didn't live as their slave."

That's why it was both his greatest regret and his best decision.

"I thought they had all disappeared into history, but to hear that name from a young person..."

Yeo-woo, who had been listening to Han Hae-woon and Baek No-ya's story, was lost in thought.

Looking at Yeo-woo, Han Hae-woon spoke.

"It seems that the people Baek No-ya mentioned haven't disappeared. We don't know what form they've taken now."

"I joined the National Intelligence Service the year after it was established and worked there for 20 years, but I never heard of them. They must be hiding very carefully."

It's been 30 years...

Since it's information from so long ago, it's unknown how they have changed.

Still, it felt like they had finally found a lead and had a clearer picture of their opponent.